Junae Ilimaleota
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington and began my education at the University of Washington receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. I went on to receive a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University in Seattle, Washington. After spending 8 years in the United States Army, I felt I could continue to serve my community and country by more intimately assisting those in need. I wanted to first understand "why do people do the things they do?" and second, learn how to help those people use their freedom to enjoy the life they want to live.
After spending 8 years in the United States Army, I felt I could continue to serve my community and country by more intimately assisting those in need.
I have worked in the mental health and social services field since 2008 with experiences that range from being a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children, a Behavioral Support Specialist for youth with disabilities and at-risk youth, a Child and Family Therapist, and an Adult Therapist for adults with serious (chronic) mental illness and substance use. I have been in private practice since 2019 continuing to help individuals and families with a variety of mental health needs.
First session
Our first session will be a mixture of sharing information between client and therapist; not only for myself to get to know the client, but for client to get to know and understand what to expect from me as their therapist.
Strengths
While I’m direct and to the point, I also strongly believe in validation and creating a nonjudgmental space. I want clients to know that I’m human too—just like them—and I specialize in understanding human behavior. My goal is to help people build effective skills to respond differently, increase mindful awareness, and reduce suffering so they can live the life they want to live—a life worth living.
Ideal clients
I am best positioned to serve clients who are ready to take an active role in their own healing. While I believe it is important to go at the client's pace, building a trusting relationship is essential, individuals who are willing to do the written and physical work outside of session to maximize effective change in their lives, will be most successful.
Treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I work with the client at client's pace, to learn and utilize dialectical behavior therapy [DBT] coping strategies via DBT skills training manual covering the four major components; mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use the basic tenets of cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] to assist clients in connecting thoughts, behaviors, emotions and feelings to specific problematic situations. Then guide the client in identifying ineffective thinking or action behaviors, learning complimentary coping strategies, and successfully implementing the strategies to effect change.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
For clients experiencing lingering symptoms of trauma, I use cognitive processing therapy [CPT] techniques to aid client in understanding how their thinking may be distorted from the trauma experience and learn coping strategies to help identify these cognitive distortions 'stuck points' and implement coping skills to alleviate symptoms.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
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Licensed in
- WashingtonLicense MHC.LH.60925373